The Walrus Says

By Jim Munro

For the first time, islanders will get to see the new Jamestown Arts Center at 18 Valley St., across from the Jamestown playground. The event, “Party Now,” is happening this Saturday, Sept. 25, from 7 to 11 p.m. The fundraiser will offer light bites, Art and Stormy cocktails, a mirror auction and raffle, and entertainment, including music by the Honky Tonk Knights. Tickets are $55, $60 at the door.

Elizabeth Congdon, vice president of the center, said, “All through drop-off day for the mirrors, artists of all ages were so excited to see inside the old boat repair shop, and imagine how perfectly it will become the Jamestown Arts Center. We must pay off the remainder of our loan by mid-December, so the time is now to support the arts center!”

Some 40 artists contributed to the mirror auction. They include:

• Jillian Barber, who burst into song in the performing arts space, discovering its great acoustics!

“We shall surely be able to see the faces of our community refl ected in this beautiful exhibit,” Elizabeth said.

*** Welcome to the island, Eloise, a two-month-old black and white kitten adopted from the Potter League for Animals by Julia Held. The kitten’s name comes from Eloise of book fame. She joins cat Willy, 13 years old and also a Potter League alumnus. A dog, Genie, 10, rounds out the pets in the Held home. Daughter Madeleine White will help with the love and care. “We’re very happy to have Eloise. There are many cats and kittens at the Potter League that need homes,” Julia said.

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Reflecting on the 1938 Great Hurricane, John E. Wright, who identifies himself as a former Jamestown clam digger – now a converted Ohio Buckeye – recommends the reading of “The Sudden Sea” by R.A. Scotti. John says, “It depicts a vivid account of what this storm did to Jamestown and the rest of New England. Both paperback and hard cover editions are available at Amazon.com. I was in the third grade at Carr School and remember all the details of the storm.”

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B.J. Whitehouse has sent some autumn posers: Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few...B.J. is now in his 21st year as director of the Jamestown Community Chorus.

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The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association will open the tower again Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 3 p.m. Paula Florentino says that if you haven’t been up since the extensive restorations were completed, you’re in for a treat.

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Chuck DiLuglio writes, “I cannot find in the Rhode Island General Laws any authorization which allows the Turnpike and Bridge Authority the right to ‘enact’ a fine for ‘having trouble at the toll booth.’ There is a fine for ‘toll running’ and such matters are referred to the ‘Traffic Tribunal’ (traffic court) for a hearing. Have we reached the point where the bureaucrats can impose ‘fines’ on the general public at their whim, bypassing the legislature? I know the amount is small, but there ought to be a hearing before they help themselves to money in my account. What if my transponder, or their pickup is faulty?

“I note with some interest that the EZPass systems in many other states do not have gates and the requirement to stop. Perhaps some of the money used to pay for electric power for the strings of lights on the bridge could be used instead to install better transponder pickups.”

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John A. Murphy says that the two best family movies made in the last 20 years that begin with a husband and father being shot and killed are “Men Don’t Leave,” starring Jessica Lange, and “Places in the Heart,” starring Sally Field. “Both well worth seeing.”

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Tonight’s full moon is the Harvest Moon. For some, it is the Fruit Moon. ***

A whole host of cruise ships will be in the East Passage this week. Today, the Atlantica of the Costa line will visit, followed by the Eurodam of the Holland America line and the Norwegian Dawn of the Norwegian cruise line on Saturday. On Sunday, the Caribbean Princess of the Princess line will anchor off Newport, and Monday will see the Eurodam of the Holland America line and the Summit of the Celebrity line. The Arcadia of P&O Cruises will visit on Wednesday.

*** Be true!

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Call in your stuff to 829-2760or 423-0383, or email us at jtnwalrus@hotmail.com.